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The pastor of a megachurch in Dallas resigned Tuesday, two days after admitting to “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady” 35 years ago. The “young lady” in question was 12 and the “behavior” as she described it would amount to criminal sexual abuse.
The now-former Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church was preaching to more than 100,000 active attendees and was once a spiritual adviser to former President Donald Trump. His resignation comes four days after 54-year-old Cindy Clemishire went public with allegations that Morris started molesting her when she was 12 and he was 21, telling USA TODAY on Tuesday that she was no longer afraid.
“It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong,” Morris, 62, said Sunday in a statement to local Dallas news station WFAA-TV. “This behavior happened on several occasions over the next few years … Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area.”
At first the church was standing behind Morris but announced his resignation following a wave of criticism.
In a statement issued to members of the news media, the church’s board of elders said they previously understood that Morris had an “extramarital relationship” with a “young lady,” citing the pastor’s words − “not abuse of a 12-year-old child.”
“We are heartbroken and appalled by what has come to light over the past few days, and we express our deep sympathy to the victim and her family,” according to the statement, obtained by CBS News and NBC News.
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